Ruqayyah Snyder
The term third world was originally coined by French historian Alfred Sauvy in 1952. It was part of the three worlds label system used to describe a country's political alliances. The first world countries were the largely democratic NATO countries, the second world countries were the Communist Bloc countries, and the third world countries were those that remained neutral and allied with neither side.
Over time, the meaning of third world has evolved. After the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the term lost its political root and came to refer to economically poor and non-industrialized countries, as well as newly industrialized countries.
Based on this modern definition, Afghanistan can be considered a third-world country. It is an extremely low-income country with widespread poverty, limited access to potable water, and a struggling economy. However, the term third world is now considered outdated and even derogatory, with terms like developing or least-developed preferred.
What You'll Learn
Afghanistan's economy
The service sector contributes the most to the GDP (55.9%) followed by agriculture (23%) and industry (21.1%).
The country has a central bank called Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB). A number of local banks also operate in the country, including the Afghanistan International Bank, Azizi Bank, New Kabul Bank, and Pashtany Bank.
The country has also faced severe droughts, earthquakes, and floods, which have further impacted the economy.
The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has also disrupted the economy, with the US freezing about $9 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank and blocking the Taliban from accessing billions of dollars held in US bank accounts.
The GDP of Afghanistan is estimated to have dropped by 20% following the Taliban's return to power, with the country facing an economic crisis and widespread poverty and unemployment.
However, there are some signs of recovery, with the Afghan economy beginning to stabilize and seeing signs of revival in 2023. The country has also established trade relationships with neighboring countries, and there has been an influx of expats, which has positively impacted the economy.
The future of Afghanistan's economy remains uncertain, with the threat of stagnation looming and a need to shift from reliance on international aid to a more resilient, private sector-led economy.
A Festive Season Under the Stars: Christmas in Afghanistan
You may want to see also
The country's political conflict
Afghanistan has been plagued by political conflict for decades, with the country's troubles stretching back to the Cold War. The country has been a pawn in the rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union, and later between India and Pakistan.
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to support the country's communist regime, which was facing an insurgency by Islamic guerrillas known as the Mujahideen. The Mujahideen were backed by the US and ultimately forced the Soviets to withdraw in 1989.
Following the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan descended into civil war, with various factions vying for power. The Taliban, a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist movement, emerged as a major player and controlled most of the country from 1996 until 2001, when a US-led invasion toppled them from power for harbouring Osama bin Laden.
The US and its allies attempted to rebuild Afghanistan, establishing a democratic government and security forces. However, the Taliban remained a potent force and waged a two-decade-long insurgency against the Afghan government and foreign forces. In 2020, the US negotiated a deal with the Taliban that led to the withdrawal of international forces in exchange for counterterrorism commitments.
The Taliban took advantage of the power vacuum left by the US withdrawal and seized control of the country in August 2021. They imposed strict Islamic laws, restricting the rights of women and girls and cracking down on dissent. The Taliban regime has faced widespread international condemnation and no country has formally recognised it as Afghanistan's government.
The country's geopolitical location has also contributed to its political instability. Landlocked and situated in the heart of Asia, Afghanistan borders several countries, including Iran, Pakistan, and China. This has made it vulnerable to foreign interference and aggression, with neighbouring powers vying for influence.
Additionally, Afghanistan's political culture has been influenced by tribal traditions and ethnocentrism, which have hindered national unity and political development. The country has also struggled with corruption, insecurity, and a weak security system that has allowed terrorist groups to operate.
The future of Afghanistan remains uncertain, with the Taliban facing resistance from various factions and facing economic challenges due to international sanctions and isolation. The country continues to be plagued by widespread poverty, insecurity, and humanitarian crises, with the UN warning of a looming famine.
The Taliban's Rule in Afghanistan: Strategies and Challenges
You may want to see also
The population's access to basic needs
Afghanistan is facing a major humanitarian crisis, with a very real risk of systemic collapse. The population is estimated to have passed 43 million in 2022, with 49% women and girls, and one of the highest youth populations in the world, with 47% under 15 years old. The population is expected to grow at a rate of 2.3% per year, one of the steepest in the region.
In 2023, two-thirds of Afghanistan's population needed urgent humanitarian assistance to survive, as the country entered its third consecutive year of drought-like conditions and the second year of economic decline. The average household debt has increased, challenging people's ability to cope and thwarting the economy's ability to adapt to shocks.
The collapse of the previous government resulted in a suspension of direct international development assistance, which previously accounted for 75% of public expenditure, including the maintenance of the public health system. The health system is now close to collapse, with a severe shortage of qualified female staff in health facilities.
The population's access to water is also limited, with 60% of households experiencing barriers to accessing water as of 2022.
The Taliban's restrictions on women and girls have further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. The ban on female workers in non-governmental organisations and UN agencies has obstructed aid operations and limited women and girls' access to humanitarian assistance.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the international community continues to provide humanitarian support to Afghanistan. The World Bank, in coordination with international partners, has unlocked funds to support the Afghan people and deliver critical health, education, and livelihood support. The European Commission has also adopted a new funding package to strengthen basic services and sustain livelihoods, with a focus on vulnerable populations, including displaced people.
American Troop Deployment: Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan Compared
You may want to see also
The country's international relations
Afghanistan's international relations have been in a state of flux since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The country has historically had complex and strained relationships with other nations, owing to its strategic geopolitical location and frequent political instability.
Historical Context
Afghanistan has long been a site of competition between global powers, particularly during the Cold War when it served as a buffer between the British and Russian Empires. After gaining independence from British control in 1919, Afghanistan pursued a policy of neutrality and non-alignment, receiving economic assistance from both the Soviet Union and the United States.
During the Cold War, Afghanistan's strategic location made it a focal point of the conflict between the Western and Communist blocs. The country experienced decades of political upheaval, including a communist coup in 1978, a Soviet invasion in 1979, and a series of civil wars following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.
Post-9/11 Era
The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks marked a turning point in Afghanistan's international relations. The United States, along with allied forces, invaded Afghanistan, toppling the Taliban government, which had provided safe haven to al-Qaeda. This intervention led to a period of international engagement and reconstruction efforts, with the US and its allies providing billions of dollars in aid and military support to the new Afghan government.
Taliban Takeover and Current Situation
The Taliban gradually regained control of Afghanistan, culminating in the fall of Kabul in August 2021. This takeover disrupted Afghanistan's foreign relations, as no country has officially recognized the new regime, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The Taliban's rise to power has caused friction with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan, due to border clashes.
Despite the lack of formal recognition, some countries, including China, Russia, and the United States, have engaged in limited contact with Taliban representatives. The Taliban faces challenges in establishing itself as a legitimate government internationally, particularly due to concerns over its commitment to counterterrorism and human rights, especially regarding women and girls' rights.
Afghanistan's foreign relations are currently in a state of transition, with the country largely isolated on the world stage. The international community has shifted its focus to providing humanitarian aid and preventing a complete economic collapse.
Deadly Afghanistan Earthquake: Counting the Human Toll
You may want to see also
The Taliban's rule
Afghanistan has been under the rule of the Taliban since August 2021. The Taliban is a predominantly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group that returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after waging a twenty-year insurgency. The Taliban's rule has been characterised by a crackdown on women's rights, neglect of basic services, and a harsh interpretation of Islamic law.
Human Rights Violations
The Taliban has committed numerous human rights violations, including restricting freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Those who peacefully express views critical of the Taliban face enforced disappearance, unlawful detention, arbitrary arrest, torture, and other ill-treatment. The Taliban has also restricted women's rights, with women being banned from working outside the home, appearing in public without a male chaperone, and travelling more than 72km without a male chaperone. In addition, girls' access to education has been severely limited, with a ban on girls' enrolment in education beyond primary school. The Taliban has also forcibly closed beauty salons, impacting around 60,000 women-owned businesses.
Economic Impact
The Taliban's takeover has had a detrimental effect on Afghanistan's economy, with malnutrition soaring and hundreds of thousands of jobs lost. The economy has shrunk by up to 30% since the takeover, and an estimated 700,000 jobs have been lost. The World Bank reported that the local currency, the Afghani, gained value against major currencies, and revenue collection was described as "healthy". However, the economy remains dependent on international aid, which has been paused by some countries and international organisations.
Security and Foreign Relations
The Taliban has improved domestic security by cracking down on armed groups such as the Islamic State. However, violence remains widespread, with the Islamic State in Khorasan increasing attacks on civilians throughout the country. The Taliban's return to power has also emboldened other militant groups, such as Tehrik-e-Taliban in Pakistan.
The Taliban faces no significant opposition and has avoided internal divisions by falling in line behind their ideologically unbending leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. However, the Taliban has struggled to gain international recognition, with no country recognising them as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The Taliban has held investment talks with countries such as China and Kazakhstan and wants sanctions removed and frozen funds released.
Future Prospects
The future of Afghanistan under the Taliban remains uncertain. While the group has consolidated its power and maintained a struggling economy, their harsh policies, particularly towards women and girls, have drawn widespread condemnation. The Taliban's leader, Akhundzada, has shown no signs of lifting the bans on women and girls, and it is largely up to him whether these restrictions will be lifted.
The Unexpected Places: A Look at Military Officer Deployment in the Afghanistan War
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The term "third-world country" is now considered outdated and offensive. It was originally used during the Cold War to refer to nations that were neutral and allied with neither the capitalist "first world" nor the communist "second world". Today, it is sometimes used to refer to countries that are developing, underdeveloped, or struggling with economic, social, and political issues.
Afghanistan is considered a third-world country by some definitions. It is a developing country with a range of issues, including poverty, illiteracy, political instability, and lack of access to basic resources. However, the term "third-world" is considered offensive, and Afghanistan's status is dependent on the definition used.
Third-world countries often face challenges such as high levels of poverty, illiteracy, political instability, traditional economies, ideological conflicts, lack of sovereignty, environmental issues, high birth rates, and administrative corruption. They may also struggle with access to basic resources like clean water and sanitation facilities.
Afghanistan's status as a third-world country can be attributed to various factors, including colonialism and its impact, geopolitical location, tribal political culture, and a weak security system. These factors have hindered the country's progress and development.
Afghanistan is currently under the control of the Taliban, which has implemented strict rules and interpretations of Islamic law. The country faces economic challenges, including import drops, currency depreciation, and increasing inflation. The lack of recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate government by the international community has also impacted Afghanistan's ability to receive foreign aid and develop its economy.
